It didn’t even last a full quarter, but the Edmonton Eskimos got a glimpse at both the past and future of their quarterback position on the same field Sunday.

And while losing to Ricky Ray’s Toronto Argonauts to end their season is disappointing, to say the least, the prospect of having Matt Nichols challenge for the starting job coming into next year’s training camp is equally as encouraging.

After all, Kerry Joseph and Steven Jyles showed they couldn’t get the job done as Ray’s replacement this year, sharing just seven victories between them.

And, while Nichols wasn’t able to find the win column in his two starts this year — just his second season on the active roster — his 107.7 passer-efficiency rating is the best in the league out of anyone with at least a dozen attempts.

He completed 48 of 83 passes for 884 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, compared to ratings of 87.5 for Joseph and 81.9 for Jyles.

“Matt Nichols, he’s one of those guys that can motivate a team, motivate an offence when he’s in the huddle,” said Eskimos slotback Fred Stamps, who had a 95-yard touchdown reception on a Nichols pass that tied for the season’s longest. “He’s just one of those guys that you want to be around. He’s a great leader. People think he’s young, but he’s been here since 2010.

“It’s just the way he carries himself.”

Only, Nichols had to be carried off the field by others Sunday after suffering a dislocated ankle nearly nine minutes into the third quarter.

“He didn’t want us to feel pity for him, he was telling us to go out and win this game,” Stamps said. “That says a lot about a guy sitting there with his leg hurting and he’s in pain.

“What more could you say about a guy like that, especially the quarterback of the team?”

As for bidding farewell to his past pivot, Stamps exchanged words with Ray after Sunday’s game.

“I talked to him. I wished him the best,” Stamps said. “That’s all I could do, wish him the best, and I’m really pulling for him.

“Obviously, I wish we could be playing football, but we’re down until 2013.”